Method of producing alpha contoured surface on stone



METHOD OF PRODUCING A CONTOURED SURFACE ON STONE Filed Oct. 7, 1927 @12' 42760 A Q&ems

Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED STATES ELROY A. CHASE, 0F NORTHFIELD, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO BOOK OF AGES CORPORA- err .osice TION, OF BURLINGTON, VERlvIONT, A CORPORATION OF VERMONT METHOD OF PRODUCING A CONTOURED SURFACE 0N STONE Application filed October 7, 1927. Serial No. 224,745

This invention relates to a method of producing a carved or contoured surface on a stone block, such surfaces being extensively used on monumental or memorial work.

It is the object of my invention to provide an improved method of producing such a surface in a rapid and economical manner, and preferably entirely by the use of sand blast.

A further object is to provide a method of producing such a surface having a distinctive and contrasting background.

My invention further relates to detail method steps and to a definite relative procedure which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings in which Figs. 2, 7, 10, 15 and 16 are plan views of a piece of carving at difierent stages of its development and the remaining figures are sectional elevations illustrating successive steps in the process of producing the contoured surface.

Referring to the drawings, I have indicated in Fig. 1 a section of a block S of granite or other stone, having a dressed upper surface to which a layer 10 of glue or other sand-resisting material has been applied.

Having applied the glue and having sketched or marked the desired ornamental figure thereon, the next step in my improved process is to remove a narrow strip 12 of glue around the outline of the figure, as indicated in Fig. 1, thus producing a narrow groove 13 (Fig. 3) in the layer of glue 10. I then direct the sand blast against the glued surface, cutting a groove 14 (Fig. 4) in the block S to any desired depth.

I then remove the portion of glue 10 covering the desired background portion of the black, and again direct the sand blast against the face of the stone, cutting the background partially away as indicated at 15 in Fig. 5.

If a contrasting background of special configuration is desired, I then place a screen 16 in the path of the sand blast and direct the sand therethrough, completing the background as indicated at 18 in Fig. 6, and producing the surface effect indicated in Fig. 7.

Ithen apply new portions of glue 20, filling up the grooves 14 and covering the background 18 as indicated in. Fig. 8. I then remove the portion 10 of the original glue coating which covers the desired figure within the outline, as indicated in Fig. 9 and as shown in plan view in Fig. 10.

The figure or design is then provided with any desired contoured surface 22 (Fig. 11) by directing a sand blast against the surface of the stone uncovered by removal of the glue 10, this sand blast preferably being applied,

through a suitable fine nozzle.

. If the design also embodies deep sinkages, such as the veins of a leaf, I thereafterrecover-the surface 22 witha fresh layer of glue 25, cut grooves 26 inthis layer of glue to correspond to the veins or other desired sinkages, and direct thefsandblast into the grooves 26 to produce the sinkages 27 (Fig.

By this procedure, the contoured figure may be caused to stand forth substantially above the backgro'und,and the edges of the design may be kept sharpanddistinct, while the whole design may "be produced entirely by the use of the sand blas If it is desired to further heighten the contrast'between the figure and the background, an abrasive mixture containing steel shot or fine steel particles may be used in producing the contoured surface 22, which mixture will give the surface a whiter appearance than will be produced by the ordinary sand blast. At the same time, the work of producing the cpntour may be performed much more rapic ly.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is z- 1. The method of prQdUQiDg a contoured surface on a block of stone which consists in coating the surface with glue, removing a narrow outline strip about the figure or design, sand blasting a corresponding outline groove in the stone, removing the glue from the background, sinking the background, recoating the grooved and background portions with additional glue, removing the old gluerfrom the figure, and shaping the contour of said figure by use of a sand blast While the background remains covered.

2. The method of producing a contoured surface on a block of stone which consists in coating the surface with glue, removing a narrow out-line strip about the figure or de sign, sand blasting a corresponding outline groove in the stone, removing the glue from the background, sinking the background, recoating the grooved and background portions with additional glue, removing the old glue from the figure, shaping the contour of said figure by use of a sand blast while the background remains covered, thereafter resurfacing said contoured figure, outlining sinkages thereon, and cutting said sinkages in said contoured surfaces by further use of the sand blast.

3. A method of making sand blast carvings, comprising first locating a coating on a stone or other article to be carved, then removing a strip of coating outlining a design, then blowing a groove in the stone where the coating has been removed, then removing the coating outside of the groove, then blowing down. the exposed surface of the stone'to form a background, then covering the background and filling the groove with coating, then removing the coating on that portion of the stone surrounded by the groove, then blowing a sinkage in the exposed surface of the stone, said sinkage tapering downwardly from the wall of the groove whereby a sharp edge is formed at the edge of the sinkage, and then removing the remaining coating from the stone. c

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

E RoY A. GHASE. 

